Marriage advice

Kully

New member

Member since 04 October 2017

Kully

04 October 2017 12:49:26

4 posts

Kully

04 October 2017 12:49:26

#1

4 posts

Hi all,

I wonder if anyone can give me some helpful advice. I am from London, UK and my girlfriend is Colombian and we are planning on getting married in Bogota in the new year.What is the correct way of going about this including documents required? Has anyone been through a similar experience?

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Texas Bred

Active member

Member since 10 January 2015

Houston

Texas Bred

04 October 2017 13:01:46

65 posts

Texas Bred

04 October 2017 13:01:46

#2

65 posts

Houston

My advice is "Don't do It!" Even though, I didn't follow my own advice.

Getting married in Colombia is a horrific experience. So much paperwork is required, and then if you talk to one official, they will say you still need this, and the other official will say something different. It got to the point that I told my fiancée to get on a plane and let's get married in Vegas.

But in the end it all worked out. So I wish you well and many years of happiness.

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Texas Bred

Active member

Member since 10 January 2015

Houston

Texas Bred

04 October 2017 13:03:55

65 posts

Texas Bred

04 October 2017 13:03:55

#3

65 posts

Houston

And get a prenuptial signed before you get married. While some Colombian women are honest and sincere. There are others that will drive you into the poor house.

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Quechimba

Active member

Member since 25 August 2017

Manizales, Caldas

Quechimba

04 October 2017 17:08:43

60 posts

Quechimba

04 October 2017 17:08:43

#4

60 posts

Manizales, Caldas

why bother getting married when a Union Libre will suffice?

90% of Colombians dont get married. Why are us expats chomping at the bit to do it?

Also, I would go one step further. A prenup is usually not worth the paper it is written on.

Better to live in Colombia, keep your women here, and all your money overseas, unless you want to give your girl something as a "Gift which you will never get back.

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Kully

New member

Member since 04 October 2017

Kully

04 October 2017 18:04:31

4 posts

Kully

04 October 2017 18:04:31

#5

4 posts

Thanks, will take on board

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Kully

New member

Member since 04 October 2017

Kully

04 October 2017 18:05:23

4 posts

Kully

04 October 2017 18:05:23

#6

4 posts

Yes will take on board

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Kully

New member

Member since 04 October 2017

Kully

04 October 2017 18:06:35

4 posts

Kully

04 October 2017 18:06:35

#7

4 posts

Thanks for your best wishes

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AgroSurAmerica

Active member

Member since 23 April 2015

AgroSurAmerica

04 October 2017 21:23:03

27 posts

AgroSurAmerica

04 October 2017 21:23:03

#8

27 posts

Make sure you get a Capitalization Agreement before you do, or be ready to give her 50% of everything if she leaves you the next day.

It is a Colombian Pre-Nuptial contract. DO NOT get married without one!

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Quechimba

Active member

Member since 25 August 2017

Manizales, Caldas

Quechimba

05 October 2017 02:35:05

60 posts

Quechimba

05 October 2017 02:35:05

#9

60 posts

Manizales, Caldas

If you dont have any assets in Colombia it doesnt matter.

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akabo

Active member

Member since 30 October 2016

akabo

06 October 2017 00:02:29

40 posts

akabo

06 October 2017 00:02:29

#10

40 posts

Quechimba :

If you dont have any assets in Colombia it doesnt matter.

I thought you have to declare your entire wealth to the government when you file taxes. Can your partner's lawyer use your tax data for the divorce proceedings?

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Quechimba

Active member

Member since 25 August 2017

Manizales, Caldas

Quechimba

06 October 2017 02:25:40

60 posts

Quechimba

06 October 2017 02:25:40

#11

60 posts

Manizales, Caldas

I guess anything is possible if you are stupid enough to let it happen...

If you walk around El Centro in Cali showing everyone your wallet, eventually, someone is going to rob you.

But even if she knew every penny you had, how practical would it be for her to collect from your investments, if everything was located in Boise, Idaho?

Any divorce proceedings are going to have to be based on Idaho law.

What lawyer in Idaho is going to take that case, assuming the wife and her lawyer were willing to spend thousands of dollars to find an appropriate lawyer willing to work on commission? And chances are she may get squat out of it.

Really about as practical as a hotentot bushman stowing away in the landing gear of a New York bound 747.

I understand. They may not have enough resources to go after your oversea investments. I think Colombian nationals can use the same rationale to hide money from their spouses. They can deposit a great part of their asset in foreign banks. If they get divorce they will only share the local asset.

If you are married in Idaho, you have assets in Colombia, your spouse's lawyer will go after if it is worth the pain.

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wanderingsalsero

Contributor

Member since 03 January 2011

Medellin

wanderingsalsero

17 October 2017 05:09:14

166 posts

wanderingsalsero

17 October 2017 05:09:14

#13

166 posts

Medellin

I noticed your question and thought I'd put in my two cents:

From what I've read in several excellent articles in medellinliving.com, it doesn't seem that hard to get married here. As I understand it, the TP10 visa covers both real marriages and 'conjugal living' situations (AKA Shacking Up).

I sorta agree with what the other responder said about 'why bother to get married....' and he recommended the 'civil union' arrangement (that's another name for it. But...

It might make a status difference to the woman. Women have a right to expect a commitment from a guy when they marry him. They're giving up something valuable too, you know and they don't recycle as easily as a guy.

Only you would know that. Personally, I think it's better to show some respect for the woman and marry her. You can still get a pre-nuptial agreement if you want to protect yourself from those kind of contingencies. Maybe even get one in Colombia and in the US just to cover your ass in both jurisdictions.

Those MedellinLiving articles are really pretty good and one of them was written by a legal type who lives in Medellin and works in those kinds of situations.

I must also agree wholeheartedly with the advice about, ´don't take them to the US'. I've seen the bright lights of the US ruin marriages from S.Vietnam and the Philippines and I'm sure it can here. It all depends on the ladies' character but there's reason for you to tempt her, and fate, too much.

Please let me know what you decide to do. I'll be crossing that bridge in a few weeks probably (if not sooner).

Good luck,Art

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loaferln

New member

Member since 11 December 2017

Sincelejo, Sucre

loaferln

29 December 2017 17:47:16

4 posts

loaferln

29 December 2017 17:47:16

#14

4 posts

Sincelejo, Sucre

I have been reading that their is a 20-40 percent support that can be levied if things don't work out. I am dating a registered nurse and plan on getting married in a few weeks. She just quit her job so I am now supporting her. I have significant income and am retired. I have not made up my mind about a visa the divorce rate here in the US is off the charts. Looks like a Colombian prenup is a wise choice or is it worth the paper it is written on? I am thinking of living in Colombia part time. Maybe better to just take some time and be really sure.

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handymantulsa

Active member

Member since 21 July 2017

handymantulsa

29 December 2017 18:08:21

41 posts

handymantulsa

29 December 2017 18:08:21

#15

41 posts

Don't knock the divorce. In Colombia it would be higher if they married but the majority do not. You do not need to marry to get a Visa, only live together and go to a notary and you get the Visa. They also have a concubine law where if you are dating and supporting them for 2 years?? not sure, but they can come after you for support. Best bet is be sure. I have met some fantastic ladies there and more players. Needless to say, buyer beware.

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loaferln

New member

Member since 11 December 2017

Sincelejo, Sucre

loaferln

29 December 2017 19:39:47

4 posts

loaferln

29 December 2017 19:39:47

#16

4 posts

Sincelejo, Sucre

Thank you so much I appreciate.

Paul

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BrandonBP

Contributor

Member since 06 June 2013

Noneyaville

BrandonBP

01 January 2018 06:40:18

189 posts

BrandonBP

01 January 2018 06:40:18

#17

189 posts

Noneyaville

I've researched this because I am going to marry a Colombian girl.

Being a foreigner trying to marry a Colombian in Colombia is a paperwork nightmare. So, what I've discovered is that going to Guatemala is easier. Like going to Vegas. You both show up with your passports and some guy marries you.

Then you fly to Bogota and get your papers. This part is supposed to be super easy after you are married. You get your cedula the same day.

I was with my Colombian girlfriend in Ecuador two months ago and they wouldn't let us get married there. We didn't have the right visas, and we weren't there for more than 75 days. And Ecuador is much easier to get married than Colombia.

The Colombians want a document that doesn't exist in the USA. A document from the government stating that you have never been married. So you need sworn statements from people that know you well stating you have never been married, and those have to be translated into Spanish by a certified Spanish translator, and then you have to ask your State's Department of State to apostille it which I still don't even know what that means. We notarize things here but they want it apostilled. All of your birth certificates and passport, etc also have to go through the same process. And all of that crap cost money.

So go to Guatemala or Las Vegas.

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Quechimba

Active member

Member since 25 August 2017

Manizales, Caldas

Quechimba

01 January 2018 13:17:29

60 posts

Quechimba

01 January 2018 13:17:29

#18

60 posts

Manizales, Caldas

Or Trinidad and Tobago.

Multiple other places.

Better yet just ay"no"

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PhilCo58

Active member

Member since 07 February 2018

Copacabana

PhilCo58

10 February 2018 03:32:13

62 posts

PhilCo58

10 February 2018 03:32:13

#19

62 posts

Copacabana

I am presuming that by now you have married, but I think a lot of the comments are really sad, like you I am a Brit, but I was living in Spain, when I decided to move here and get married. If your Girlfriend is in Colombia, then ask her to find a Notary prepared to marry you, not all will, then ask him (or her) what documents are required, because they have the final say. I was given a list of documents, I didn't need the certificate of being single, he said I had divorce certificates and that was sufficient. The hard part is the timing, because all the documents have to be sources, apostilled, legalised, and officially translated within 3 months of the date of the ceremony, and the Notary has to be satisfied they are correct. I was fortunate, in that our Notary said he was happy if I emailed copies them over to my then Fiancee, she then took them for him to confirm they were all in order, then I brought them over with me, and took the originals to him before the big day! To be honest other than the time restraints, I found the whole process less stressful than arranging my previous two marriages in the UK.

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Quechimba

Active member

Member since 25 August 2017

Manizales, Caldas

Quechimba

10 February 2018 13:47:36

60 posts

Quechimba

10 February 2018 13:47:36

#20

60 posts

Manizales, Caldas

A guy on his third marriage saying comments are a "bit sad"..thats really rich...jaja

There is looking at it things as if there is a glass half full..and then there is whistfully walking around with blinders on...

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PhilCo58

Active member

Member since 07 February 2018

Copacabana

PhilCo58

10 February 2018 13:52:36

62 posts

PhilCo58

10 February 2018 13:52:36

#21

62 posts

Copacabana

You have to look on the bright side!

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Quechimba

Active member

Member since 25 August 2017

Manizales, Caldas

Quechimba

10 February 2018 14:22:03

60 posts

Quechimba

10 February 2018 14:22:03

#22

60 posts

Manizales, Caldas

I dont think any women deserves even a quarter of your assets, and espescially not your emociones and love, if she is gonna foch you around.

Better to protect yourself physically and emotionally

If you find one that is by your side when you are in the poor house and /or on your death bed great.

You can always tell from their previous history if there is a remote chance of them being "good " women.

Guys that go to Colombia fall in love (or lust, or get "smitten" are better words) and jump into marriage.

If she isnt gonna be with you when you are on your death bed (without her hands in your pocket) then why marry her?

You cant determine this by meeting someone on internet and then spending a couple weeks together, and then marrying.

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PhilCo58

Active member

Member since 07 February 2018

Copacabana

PhilCo58

10 February 2018 15:29:16

62 posts

PhilCo58

10 February 2018 15:29:16

#23

62 posts

Copacabana

Speak for yourself, as you said, I had two previous marriages to women I thought I knew back in the UK, for various reasons they failed, one after seven years, the second after twenty one years. and they managed to walk away with most of my cash, there were no prenups in the UK at the time!I met my now wife online we talked for three months, then I came here, we clicked, and soon after were married, six years later we are still very happy. I agree that is very much the luck of the draw, but so is life, you can't rule anything out.

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akabo

Active member

Member since 30 October 2016

akabo

11 February 2018 20:59:21

40 posts

akabo

11 February 2018 20:59:21

#24

40 posts

@PhicCo58,

Based on your past experiences, it is too early to claim victory.

After two failed marriages, why is it so important to continue to get married? I don't think sex with a younger woman is good enough a reason to get into that dreadful marriage contract. Just being friends would have been financially and emotionally better.

Lest you think I am against marriage - I think marriage is a wonderful institution, but who wants to live in an institution?

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PhilCo58

Active member

Member since 07 February 2018

Copacabana

PhilCo58

11 February 2018 22:22:19

62 posts

PhilCo58

11 February 2018 22:22:19

#26

62 posts

Copacabana

akabo it's a shame ...Since you don't know me or my wife you are in no position to make any judgement.

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akabo

Active member

Member since 30 October 2016

akabo

12 February 2018 00:09:01

40 posts

akabo

12 February 2018 00:09:01

#27

40 posts

@PhilCo58,

I am not judging, I am just asking why?

The definition of insanity, is, doing the exact same thing over and over again, expecting *** to change. That. Is. Crazy.

Moderated by Bhavna last monthReason : Please don't use foul wordsWe invite you to read the forum code of conduct

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PhilCo58

Active member

Member since 07 February 2018

Copacabana

PhilCo58

12 February 2018 01:03:12

62 posts

PhilCo58

12 February 2018 01:03:12

#28

62 posts

Copacabana

akabo, I have to say I found your previous post insulting, whether it was meant to be or not. I am from a generation where marriage is considered an Institution, and shows commitment. Yes it has cost me, but I don't regret that. Marriage is more than sex, and I object to the implication that it is otherwise, to be old fashioned, I personally don't believe in 'Living in Sin', good luck to those that do, but they should also respect my view.

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cccmedia

Ecuador Expert

Member since 14 March 2014

Coffee Zone and Medellín

cccmedia

12 February 2018 01:22:56

5482 posts

cccmedia

12 February 2018 01:22:56

#29

5482 posts

Coffee Zone and Medellín

PhilCo58 :

akabo, I have to say I found your previous post insulting, whether it was meant to be or not. I am from a generation where marriage is considered an Institution, and shows commitment. Yes it has cost me, but I don't regret that.

I agree, the comment was insulting and IMO meant to be so. Now the Home Office will review and moderate.

Phil has every right to remarry .. and on the forums of expat.com .. he can expect to express his experience and views without being cursed at.

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